Thursday, November 24, 2011

Surgery over - McCaw to go home this weekend

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/6031487/Richie-McCaw-set-to-go-home-this-weekend RICHARD KNOWLER 25/11/2011

Richie McCaw should be back home this weekend after having a screw removed from his right foot in Christchurch yesterday.

All Blacks captain McCaw had a bone graft along with the screw removed from the troublesome fifth metatarsal bone that forced him to stop training during the World Cup playoffs.

The 30-year-old will have his foot in plaster for a fortnight and then wear a moonboot for a month. Around 10 to 12 weeks after the surgery he is expected to start running and gradually return to training with the Crusaders ahead of next year's Super season.

Although All Blacks doctor Deb Robinson did not speak to McCaw after the surgery she reported the operation "went very well".

"In addition, he had an X-ray prior to surgery which showed the bone had started to heal to some extent in the four weeks since the end of the Rugby World Cup, which is good news."

McCaw had the screw inserted into his foot last summer after it was discovered he had suffered a stress fracture in the metatarsal bone but only made sporadic appearances for the Crusaders this year because of continued discomfort.

He continued to suffer pain during the World Cup and in the lead-up to the final against France he was unable to train.

McCaw was expected to spend last night in hospital and if the medical staff were satisfied with his recovery there was a chance he would be discharged as early as today.
Robinson, who lives in Christchurch, is expected to monitor McCaw's recovery during the summer.

Providing there are no setbacks during his rehabilitation, McCaw could return to leading the Crusaders in late March or early April. Their opening round match is against the Blues in Auckland on February 24 and Matt Todd will start at openside flanker in McCaw's absence.

The Press

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